Fudge-a-Mania

Peter’s primary disposition is to be in an angry or irritated state. He constantly feels put off by his family, particularly his brother and his pet bird, by Sheila, and by regular mishaps that cannot be avoided. When Peter awakes the morning of the foggiest day, his brain is equally foggy. He forgets that the ceiling is low and bangs his head, and his first reaction is to kick the wall in anger and revenge, further injuring himself. The moment is symbolic of Peter’s overall disposition and of the way that he regularly hurts himself by refusing to be optimistic, to see the brighter side, or to engage in activities that might actually be fun, like rock collecting. Peter tends to pretend to be independent and more mature than the other kids, but when he is left alone one morning, he cannot help but go find Sheila and Fudge and join them despite having little interest in their chosen activity. Similarly, Peter considers himself an expert on his brother and doesn’t give Sheila credit or believe that she can take care of Fudge. Sheila proves Peter wrong on this judgment, and Fudge seems to enjoy spending so much time with his “bride-to-be.” Peter’s defensiveness and social nerves shine through most when he worries about what to tell Jimmy regarding the living situation with Sheila. He seems to worry that his entire trip might be ruined if he tells Jimmy the truth.

Although this is how Peter behaves most of the time, he occasionally breaks this irritable outer layer to reveal his softer, more compassionate side. This is first evident when Peter immediately takes charge after Uncle Feather is lost. Although he often longs for the simplicity of his childhood in the face of The Trials of Approaching Adolescence, he also knows how to access his maturity and do what needs to be done. While Peter and his brother search for Uncle Feather, they must cooperate and get along, challenging Peter to be more empathetic with Fudge. Uncle Feather symbolizes Navigating Chaotic Family Life, and in this moment, the chaos brings Peter and his brother closer together. While the brothers are searching the beach for Fudge’s precious bird, the imagery of the Maine environment is strong: “There was no sound except for the foghorn in the distance” (32). The area is unfamiliar, and the boys are young, but they face the situation head-on, together. The final joke of the chapter comes in the form of irony when Uncle Feather is found to have been at home the entire time. Regardless, the excursion leads Peter and Fudge to Mrs. A, a connection who will lead to more positive experiences and new friendships in the coming days.

Mrs. A also introduces the baseball motif when her granddaughter Mitzi shows up with a glove and proclaims that her grandfather is a famous baseball player. Peter loves baseball, and the opportunity to play on the trip brightens his spirits more than anything else so far. It becomes “the best news of the century” (50), in contrast with “the worst news of the century” days before (22). The hyperbole of these chapter titles and of the ways the children describe events in their lives showcases the way that Peter and Sheila both continue to exhibit aspects of playful childishness.

It is also during this stage of the vacation that Grandma’s character as someone who knows The Importance of Levity and of cherishing each moment is revealed. Peter often notes the ideas his grandmother has and seems to admire the way she approaches life: “She says at her age you really appreciate the morning and there’s no point in wasting it” (28). Grandma immerses herself in a new relationship with Buzzy Senior, is always up for the next adventure, and demonstrates kindness and understanding that Peter’s parents sometimes fail to provide. She always seems to know exactly what Peter is going through, and rather than berating him for misbehaving, she offers him empathy. Grandma does the same for Sheila and the other children as well, and they all come to rely on her as a pillar of support.